FAQs

Navy, Army, and Air Force fitness requirements can be found here.

Please note these are the minimum fitness requirements for each service. If you want your application to be competitive we urge you to strive to perform well beyond these requirements.

Yes. A service person in a de facto relationship is entitled to the same benefits as a service person who is married.

Some trades simply require three years of secondary school, for example years 9 – 11 or years 11 – 13, rather than formal qualifications. These trades will still look at your record of learning to determine if you will be able to successfully complete the training. Other trades require a higher level of education, such as NCEA level 2 or above. The minimum criteria for each trade can be found on the trade pages on this website.

Eligibility requirements, including requirements around citizenship can be found here:

Eligibility requirements

Citizenship and security requirements

Yes, you will be required to meet medical standards for general health, eyesight, and hearing.

Most careers in the NZDF require you to be 17 years old prior to your recruit course. Some careers in the NZDF have a higher age limit. You can register on this website at any age, but can only submit an application from the age of 16.5.

No. There is no upper age limit to join or re-enlist. However, you will need to meet medical and fitness requirements for your desired service.

The NZDF has a high dependence on trust, reliability, and use of technical equipment and weapons. For this reason, all applicants undergo a police check, and any convictions are assessed on the severity of the offence.

The aptitude testing helps us determine your suitability for the trade preferences you selected in your application, and all other NZDF trades.

The new tests introduced on the 14th of January 2021 measure Numerical Ability, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning and Mechanical Comprehension. These tests assess cognitive ability on these subjects, rather than the knowledge base, which is what the old tests were measuring.

It will take approximately 90 minutes to complete the two aptitude tests. 

Your Candidate Engagement Facilitator (CEF) will endeavour to debrief you on your results within 72 hours of submission.

See here for more detailed information about the aptitude tests.

Preparation is key so make sure you are well rested and careful with your answers. You will be tested on numerical ability, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning and mechanical comprehension.

From the date that your Candidate Engagement Facilitator (CEF) issues the link, you will have 14 days to complete the entire series of aptitude tests.

Take photo identification, appropriate clothing and footwear for exercise. You will be conducting a beep test (running), press ups, and curl ups.

Free group physical training sessions in your area become available to you once you apply to join the NZDF. Force Fit sessions are organised once or twice a week by your nearest recruiting office, and are at a convenient time for most working people and students. These sessions are a great way for applicants of every fitness level to prepare for the entry level fitness test and basic training. It also allows you to meet other applicants from your home town that may be on your intake. Contact your Candidate Engagement Facilitator for more information about your local fitness sessions. Additionally, you can download the Force Fit app to get a personal training programme that is designed to prepare you for your entry level fitness test and basic training.

Visit Apply Now to register your interest and begin the application process.

The time between submitting your application and the first day of training typically takes 3 – 18 months. There are a number of reasons why your application may take longer to process. For example:

• we may require you to undertake further medical testing with a specialist
• you may take several attempts to pass the aptitude and fitness testing
• you may miss out on the first intake you are eligible for. Some of our trades have a high number of applications and selection is highly competitive
• you may have applied for a trade that we only recruit once per year, or once every two years.

These are just some of the reasons why your application may take longer to process. Your Candidate Engagement Facilitator can provide you with more information about your specific circumstances.

If applying from overseas, you will also have to wait for an NZ Residence Class visa.

Yes, you need to provide as much relevant information as you can, so that our Military Doctors can make an informed decision about your medical fitness. In some cases, you may be asked to provide a report from your GP or a specialist. This is at your own cost.

Yes. We have Army, Navy, and Air Force Chaplains at every base. Chaplains take an active interest in the welfare of all NZDF personnel, and our chapels cater for all religions. You are able to attend Sunday church services if you wish.

The NZDF is family friendly and offers generous leave policies to support working parents. If you are planning a family you can take parental leave. You may also be eligible to receive a return-to-work incentive payment, which is equivalent to six weeks salary and payable six months after you return from parental leave.

There is flexibility around leave if you need to care for a sick child.

There is flexibility around leave for school holidays.

Nursing mothers may be able to make arrangements with their commanders and managers to establish an appropriate location for breast-feeding and expressing milk. However, personal needs must always be balanced with high priority unit activities or operational activities.